Equipment foundation of sectional type



April 1941- c. 'H. HUNSAKER arm. 6,7

EQUIPIENT FOUNDATION 0F SECTIUNAL TYPE Filed Jan. 11, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVENTORS CLAUDE H. HUNSAKER BY JOSEPH B. WHEELER April 1941- c. H. HUNSAKER Er. ,775-

EQUIPIENT FOUNDATION OF SECTIONAL TYIE I Filed Jan. 11, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ell ' I i VENTOR$ v CLAUDE H. UNSAKER JosEPH B. WHEELER.

Patented Apr. 1, 1941 EQUIPMENT FOUNDATION OF SECTIONAL TYPE Claude H. Hunsaker aiii Joseph B. Wheeler, University City, Mo.

Application January 11, 1940, Serial No. 313,348

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in equipment foundations of sectional type, and

more particularly to sectional foundation structures of relatively standardized type, for heavy apparatus, for example, railway signal equipment.

The practice generally heretofore followed in the construction of foundations for railway signal equipment, has consisted in constructing in situ a monolithic concrete base or the like in which are embedded a plurality of fixed anchor bolts, engaging usually the metal base of a signal standard or the like. Due to the number of different types and makes of equipment of this order, the construction of foundations has necessarily resulted in building to order and on the job, a foundation particularly adapted to the unit of equipment to be installed, for example, along the railway right-of-way. The requirements to care for the great number of different types and makes of signal apparatus and other equipment has heretofore required some several hundred different arrangements and spacing of anchor bolts, as well as a number of different types and dimensions of foundation structures. Accordingly, the work has heretofore been characterized by relatively high cost. It is a general object of this invention to standardize, within certain limits, the foundation structures for heavy equipment of a given type, such as railway signal apparatus, whereby the foundations or parts thereof may be centrally manufactured in a more or less standardized manner, and whereby the necessary differences in weight and dimensions to care for difierent items of equipment, may be easily and quickly cared for without skilled labor, on the job and at the time of installation.

Afurther important object of the invention is attained in an improved sub-base element for apparatus of bolted-base type, such as to enable an easy variation in the center spacings of the hold-down or anchor bolts, such that the base vunit may be standardized for a wide variety of different items of mounted equipment, and will enable repeated usage and conversion of the subbase unit, either from one location to another, or to render itadaptable to a wide variety of the base mounted units, for example, railway signal standards and the like.

Yet an additional and important object, related to those above mentioned, is attained in a substantial reduction of overall cost of mounting and installation of heavy bolted-base types of equipment. a

A still further object of the invention is attained in a foundation or sub-base structure of a novel pre-cast concrete construction and sectional in nature, such that it may be shipped or handled more readily, easily assembled at the site of installation; may be readily loaded, unloaded and installed by a minimum crew; may be varied in effective loading to meet varying conditions of subsoil and circumjacent earth; to care for the varying weights of equipment to be mounted thereon, and so as to care for varying windage, and other factors peculiar to the site of installation.

Further objects of the invention are realized in 1?: improved items of hardware utilized for assembling the sections of the improved foundation structure, as well as for assembling the base-mounted apparatus or equipment to the foundation, and in a way to provide for mounting a great variety of such equipment on a more or less standardized sectional structure of the general type referred to.

Yet other objects will appear from the following detailed description of certain preferred em- 2 5, bodiments of the invention, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation through a railway right-of-way grade showing in elevation, as 30. an example of installation, a foundation structure supporting a railway block signal assembly; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation, along line 22 of Fig. 1, of a sectional precast concrete foundation structure in accordance 35, with the present improvements; Fig. 3 is a'top tor plan view of the base unit or cap section of the structure shown by Fig. 2, and as viewed along line 33 thereof; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section as viewed along line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a plan view of an alternate form of base or cap section; Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 as to location of section, but showing a greater length of horizontal slot in the barrel, when utilized with a cap section such as that of Fig. 5; Figs. '7, 10 and 12 are views of further alternate forms of base or cap section utilized similarly to the section shown by Figs. 3 and5; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section with parts broken away for cleamess, through side and end walls of the assembled foundation structure, showing a slightly modified arrangement thereof as viewed along line 8-8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary transverse section along line 99 of Fig. 8, and Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section along line |l|l of Fig. 10, as

taken through upper wall portions of the foundation structure and cap, showing a modified arrangement of anchor bolts.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, a typical section of railway grading is indicated at A in Fig. 1, in which is installed a foundation assembly embodying present improvements, and generally designated at B, and shown as supporting, for example, a raillocation and arrangement to the openings [8, and

serve to receive, as later better appears, a plurality of holding elements for securement of the lower base I! to the barrel or body I'5. So as to provide for entrance of an electric cable or the like shown at 20, the side wall of the barrel I5 is provided with a cable entrance opening 2|. Since the lower base I! and the cap section or base [6 are or may be identical, a description of way block signal standard generally indicated '10} one Will suffice to cover both of these sections.

at C. It is usually the case that foundation structures of the type here in discussion are partially, sometimes almost completely, embedded in the grading or subgrading which, as will be Each of these, like the barrel or body 15, is pref erably formed of pre-cast concrete, by reason of its economy, strength and durability, although other suitable materials may be employed. Each readily understood, may consist of any variety 1;: of these end blocks is of a generally plate-like of soil, rock or mixtures of same, or may consist in part of gravel, sand, or other commonly encountered earth materials. This variety of subjacent and circumjacent materials in which the foundation is partly or nearly entirely embedded, presents one of the difficulties to a fully satisfactory design of pre-formed foundation structures for equipment of the type noted. In the present example the structure B is buried in the material A up to about half the total height of the foundation structure.

Referring now more particularly to the foundation assembly, this is preferably formed of at least two, and in some cases three, sections or major elements including a hollow normally vertical body it, on which rests a cap section, constituting a base block for the equipment mounted thereon, this section being indicated generally at (6, and hereinafter more fully described. In some cases wherein the element I5 finds a firm natural subjacent support, it is unnecessary to provide any other than the two noted major sections of the assembly, but in numerous cases wherein the subjacent soil is even slightly loose, it is desirable and advisable to utilize a bottom base block indicated generally at H. In case the block H is employed it is preferably, by reason of uniformity of construction, but not absolutely necessary, that it be uniform with the cap block it.

Referring further to the hollow body l5, it is a preference that this be of cylindrical form, which offers the advantages of ease of pouring and casting after the manner, for example, of concrete culvert pipe or the like. The cylindrical form further materially assists, by permitting rolling movement from place to place, handling this section on and ofi of cars, and facilitates transfer from place to place in production as well as on the job. It is however distinctly within the purview of the invention that the body or barrel element l5 be of other than circular section; for example, it may be formed of rectangular or square section, or of yet other suitable shapes.

The barrel l5, preferably at the time of pouring and casting, has its mold suitably provided with fillets so as to provide the walls of the barrel with a number of through openings. Among these is a horizontal series of slots l8, each slot being of several degrees in horizontal extent, or several inches in length, and of a width or vertical dimension just slightly in excess of the diameter of the anchor bolts hereinafter described, these slots being arranged for the reception of such bolts as will later appear. Preferably at the same or substantially the same distance from the lower end of the barrel 15, as the slots l8 are from the upper end thereof, is a similar row or series of openings IS. The openings l9 are by preference but not necessarily, similar in shape,

form and may be circular, rectangular or of other suitable shape, depending upon the nature of the anchor bolt locations provided for the supported standard or the like indicated at C. In most cases the circular form of base block is preferred. It is a further preference that each of the end elements l6 and I! be provided with a relatively thicker center area conforming in section to the section of the barrel, so that both are, for example, circular. The central area 22 is preferably peripherally bevelled somewhat as indicated at 23, which facilitates application of the end element to, and centering it on the barrel in assembly on the job, and which has the effect, once the cap or base is seated on the barrel, of accurately locating the elements with respect to each other. The provision of the relatively deeper central portion 22 results in effect, in an undercut, shouldered or rabbeted seat which, if the barrel and base be of circular section, results in an annular seating surface 24.

According to present preference and for economy, the same set of holding elements, such for example as anchor bolts 25, may be employed for the dual purpose of securing the upper base or cap IE to the barrel, and for securement of the bolt-mounted equipment C, to the foundation assembly as a whole. Each of the anchor bolts 25 preferably comprises a relatively longer arm 26 and a relatively shorter arm 30 related at substantially a right angle to each other. Each of the free ends of the arms is threaded so as to receive, on the shorter arm a nut 3| and, on the longer arm, a nut 32. Suitable washers of usual or looking type may be provided wherever indicated, but it is a preference to employ in connection with the nuts 3i, cast iron washers of substantial size such as shown for example, at 33. These washers are preferably of uniform arcuate section in case a cylindrical body I5 is utilized, thus giving the advantage that the washer closely conforms to the curved interior or exterior surface of the barrel about the bolt opening. Preferably each of the washers 33 is provided with a relatively thickened central area against which is seated the associated nut 3|, the washer being either of circular outline, or somewhat elongate so as to constitute closures for the slots 48 or l9. It will later appear that the longer arms 26 of the bolts 25 may in certain cases be installed outside rather than inside of the barrel, and in case they are located exteriorly, the washers such as 33 are most advantageously installed interiorly of the barrel.

A very important and useful feature of the present improvements is found in certain selected shapes, locations and relative arrange ments of vertical slots provided through the upper base or cap section, for the reception and adjustment of the anchor bolts. In the arrangement of Figs. 2 and 3 these openings are indicated generally at 35 and through each of which extends one of the anchor bolts 25. The particular preference as to shaping and location of these bolt-receiving slots is hereinafter more fully described in connection with the description of certain separate alternate arrangements thereof.

To rovide for completeness of structure and to care for a usual requirement, the upper base or cap element I6 is provided with a relatively large vertical central passage or opening, shown at 35 as disposed centrally of the cap element, to provide for access of an electric cable 20, leading to the equipment 0, as will be readily understood.

Referring now to the preferred manner of securement of the lower base or block I 1, to the barrel, this is conveniently and economically provided for by utilization of a plurality of fasteners which for convenience in designating the forms shown, may be called Z-bars and indicated generally at 45. Each of the fastenings includes a central normally vertical body 4| connected to which, preferably at about a right angle, is a short unthreaded arm 42 and a relatively longer unthreaded arm 53, the arms 42 and 43 being oppositely directed and preferably parallel. In case the lower base I1 is identical with the cap l6, as is the case in Fig. 1, these slots are of a length to permit insertion therethrough of the Z-bars so as to bring the longer arms of the Z-bars adjacent the under surface of the block I1, and hence to permit, through actuation of the bar body Al in the associated slot 35, a translatory movement of the bar to bring its shorter arm 42 into and out of the slots l9. Through this arrangement the lateral or bodily movement of the Z-bars enables a quick attachment to and detachment from the barrel, of the lower base element ll. It is usually sufficient to employ only a pair of the Z-bars for fasteningthe lower base to the barrel, in cases where the lower base is utilized.

Proceeding now to a more detailed description of the shaping and arrangement of theanchor bolt slots in the elements l6 and I1, it is seen from Fig. 3 that the openings generally indicated at 35 are elongate in nature, and hence may be generally described as slots. It is further noted that these are related in pair in the example of Fig. 3, there being four such slots. Each of the slots 35 is preferably of a width just slightly exceeding the diameter of the anchor bolt 25, so that the slot serves in a measure to guide or direct the anchor bolt, as its position is shifted in or along the slot. By preference, each of the slots 35 consists of two communicating portions of about the same width, an innermost such portion of each slot extending substantially along a radius of a circle whose center is that of the cap such as l6. These slot portions of radial trend are indicated at 55, and communicate with relatively shorter portions constituting in Fig. 3, an outward extension of the slot 50. The slot portions 5| are shown as being somewhat shorter than the radial parts 50 and the portions 5| are of such trend that the axes of each if projected, would constitute a chord of a circle on the center of the base or cap section I6. It will further appear from Fig. 3 that the slots 35 are so arranged that the diametrically opposite slots have their portions 5| of corresponding trend, while the intervening slots are characterized by portions 5| of a relatively opposite trend, with the result that as the anchor bolts 25 are moved outwardly of adjacent slots, they are also guided divergently. The arrangement and shape of the slots has been selected after careful determination and experimentation to find that arrangement which would care for the greatest variety of prevailing anchor-bolt center-spacings in existing signal equipment, including, besides block signal standards per se, the type of equipment known as instrument cases, relay cases, dwarf signals, and highway grade-crossing signals, to mention a few of the more frequently encountered types. It will have appeared that the formation of the slots along broken lines, permits a substantial variation of the spacing between centers not only when such spacing is uniform, but when for example, the spacing between one of the pairs of anchor bolts is required to be somewhat greater than the spacing of another pair. This requirement, in respect to bolted base equipment of the type mentioned, particularly railway signal apparatus supported on bolted standards, has been found to be best met by an arrangement such as shown by Fig. 3.

An alternate form of cap section corresponding generally to that shown at I6, is indicated by Fig. 5 and designated generally as 55. The general construction of the base corresponds to that of the cap IS with the exception that to care for certain special types of equipment somewhat frequently encountered, the cable entrance opening 56 is disposed off center. A more important difference in respect to the cap 55 is seen in its slot-s which are still formed along a broken line as an axis, the slots being substantially U-shaped with the arms each presented divergently outwardly toward the periphery of the base or cap. In the arrangement of Fig. 5 what may be termed the innermost portion of each slot is indicated at 51, and the two communicating arms at 58 and 59. The particular arrangement and shape of slots 51-59 is distinguishable from that of Fig, 3 in that the substantially radial part of each slot such as 59 is located outwardly of the other portions 51 and 58 which are relatively angularly related and yet each of which lies along a chord on a circle drawn about the center of the cap section 55.

For certain types of signal standards utilizing a base in which the bolt openings are spaced a substantial distance between centers, the situation is best cared for by one of the alternate constructions of Figs. 7, 10 or 12. Each of these in cludes an upper base or cap section which is rectangular or square in plan as exemplified by the cap section indicated generally at in Fig. 7. The cap 65 includes a plurality of relatively widely spaced L-shaped bolt slots 65. These are related in pair, and the outer portions 51 of the paired slots areof opposite trend. The longer arm 58 of each of the slots 66, lies substantially along a radius of a circle on the center of the cap section 65. The block of this form is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite openings in the nature of marginal recesses 10, suitable for the reception of cables or the like. In Fig. 8 it will appear that the signal standard C supported on the section 65, is engaged by anchor bolts 1| which are essentially the same as the bolts 24 heretofore described, except that they are optionally provided with an offset shank portion as best appears in Fig. 8, a further difierence in assembly being noted in that the bolts 1| are located exteriorly of the barrel, in this case indicated at 12. The optionally exterior or interior location ofboltsenables a given barrel or body to care for a much wider range of sizes and types of the bolt-mounted equipment, than would be possible were the bolts restricted, say, solely to an internal location. The shorter arm of the anchor bolt extends through a slotted opening 13 therefor from the outside toward the inside of the barrel 12. In this case also, assuming the use of a lower base 65 identical with the cap section or upper base similarly numbered, the Z-bars 48 are located with their bodies exteriorly of the barrel 12, and since the slots 66 lie for the most part exteriorly of the barrel, the Z-bars may be inserted in and removed from their assembly positions by the same translatory movement above described in connection with the construction of Fig. 2.

In certain cases, as in changing the location of equipment of a given type from one position to another, say along the railway right-of-way, it becomes a matter of economy to change, if necessary, the cap section but without necessarily changing either the barrel section or the lower base section if same is utilized. In yet other cases involving more or less special equipment, separate anchor bolts are employed for securement of the standard to the upper base, and for securing the cap section to the barrel. Such an arrangement is exemplified by Figs. and 11 wherein the barrel is indicated at 80, the cap section at 81, and an anchor bolt for assemblin the cap section 8| to the barrel, such as shown at 82. In this case separate hold-down bolts 83 extend through openings 84 therefor, the holddownbolts 83 extending, for example, interiorly of the bolt-mounted equipment D (Fig. 11) cording to this special arrangement, slots 85 are provided, which are in all important respects closely similar to slots 56 in Fig. '7. A single rectangular marginal cable-recess 8'6 is preferably provided in the arrangement shown by Fig. 10

The description thus far has related to different constructions in which the anchor bolts are utilized in one or more pairs so that there is an even number thereof. An arrangement is shown byFig. 12 wherein the cap or upper base section 90 is provided with three anchor bolts 9 I, two of these each occupying a rectangular slot 92 and a third a relatively smaller circular opening 93. This arrangement provides for a certain desirable latitude of adjustment of the bolts 9! in the slots 93 so as to obtain a moderate increase or decrease in the relative center spacings of the bolts 9|. This embodiment is shown as provided with a pair of cable entrance openings or passages indicated at 94. The cap sections 65, 8| and 90 are each preferably provided with the relatively thickened center portion approximating that indicated at 22 in Fig. 2; each is preferably also provided with the undercut or shouldered annular seat constituting a bar, or rest surface where the cap section engages the upper periphery of the barrel 12 or 80, and similar to the sections 16 and I "i heretofore described, the upper outer peripheral margin of each of the upper base sections is bevelled or chamfered as indicated at 95.

It will have appeared that, in order to care for the greatest possible number of bolt-center spacings with a given type of the cap sections and barrels, the several arrangements described are all characterized by provisions such that each of the adjustable anchor bolts is adjustable, by reason of the length of screw thread on its horizontal portion, distantly of the wall of the body to which the bolt is secured. Furthermore, by

reason of the elongate nature of the bolt openings in the wall of the tubular body, each bolt may be swung in a horizontal plane to provide for different bolt placements, both adjustments contemplating the maintenance of the vertical position of the vertical arm of the bolt irrespective of the noted adjustments.

It will be understood that the lengths of the several horizontal slots in the tubular body, as well as the extent of the vertical slots in the cap block, will be readily determinable in accordance with the requirements of the equipment to be mounted on the foundation; it is preferred however that these slots be so dimensioned and relatively so arranged as to care for anchor bolt center-spacings of between four inches and thirty inches, representing a practical maximum and minimum to care for all prevalent types of railway signal equipment now in use in the United States.

The manner of installation and advantages in use of the several arrangements heretofore described, is thought to have been fully apparent from the description of the several elements, but it may be noted that the procedure usually followed in the installation is to excavate an opening in the location desired for the foundation, somewhat larger than the foundation assembly. The bottom of this is levelled off to receive the lower base section such as H, which is then put in the hole. Following this the tubular body such as the cylindrical barrel I5, is inserted vertically in the hole with its lower margin bearing against the upturned annular seat 24. The 2- bars or comparable fastenings 49 may then be inserted to secure the lower base and body in assembly. The cap section is next located in place on top of the tubular body and the anchor bolts such as 25 installed as heretofore described, after locating the equipment C on top of the cap section or base. In many instances of course the electric cable 20 will have been inserted through the cable entrance openings prior to final bolting down of the equipment C onto the upper base section.

To those familiar with the practice heretofore prevailing, in constructing to order, in each location, a relatively heavy monolithic foundation unit, the advantages of the present improvements will be noted as obviating the requirement for several hundred different types of foundations to care for the many presently utilized types of railway signal equipment, these being replaced by not more than six or seven different general types of sectional foundation, constructed possibly in a few different sizes in each type, but so that the relatively few types of foundation are enabled to care for the entire variety of items of signal apparatus currently in use. It will accordingly appear that the invention serves fully to attain each of the several objects above specifically enumerated, as well as the numerous other advantages implied from the description of the several embodiments.

Although the invention has been described by making reference in detail to a selected few embodiments, the description is to be understood in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense, since many changes may be made within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

We claim as our invention:

1. A sectional foundation assembly for heavy equipment, including a hollow supporting body or barrel, a foundation plate below the barrel, 9.

" cap section on the barrel constituting a base for the equipment, a plurality of slotted openings in the cap section, a plurality of angular anchor bolts, one for each of said openings, the barrel being provided with apertures to receive and detachably engage the anchor bolts.

2. In a foundation structure for relatively heavy equipment such as railway signal standards, a barrel, a base plate on which the barrel is endwise supported, a cap section over the barrel constituting a base, for the equipment, the cap section being provided with a plurality of anchor bolt openings, an anchor bolt in each of said openings, the wall of the barrel being provided with a plurality of slots each adapted to receive one of the anchor bolts and to permit of adjustment of the bolt in the slot to provide for different bolt-center spacings.

3. In a pre-cast concrete foundation of sectional construction, for heavy equipment such as railway signals and the like, a tubular support constituting one of the sections of the assembly. a cap section on the tubular support, constituting a base for the equipment to be mounted thereon, a plurality of anchor bolts carried by the tubular body and projecting through the cap section, the tubular support being provided with a horizontal slot for each of the anchor bolts, the anchor bolts being of distinctly angular conformity, with one leg of each extending through one of the horizontal slots, and the cap section being provided with a plurality of slots extending vertically therethrough, the slots of the cap section being so related as to permit divergence and convergence of the anchor bolts as they are shifted in the slots, whereby to provide for a variation in bolt-center spacings to accommodate various types and sizes of equipment to be supported on the foundation.

4. In a foundation construction utilized as a support for relatively heavy apparatus such as railway signal equipment, a plurality of sections each formed of pre-cast concrete, said sections including a base block, a barrel vertically disposed on the base block, and a cap section supported by the upper end of the barrel, the base block being provided with slotted apertures and the wall of the barrel being provided with apertures, fastenings for securing the base block to the barrel, each of said fastenings including a pair of substantially parallel end arms and a body connecting the arms, one of the end arms of each fastening engaging the under surface of the base block, and the other arm of each fastening engaging a companion aperture in the barrel wall, the apertures in the base block being of a size and shape to permit a translatory movement of each of said fastenings to enable insertion of one of its arms into, and the removal thereof from the selected wall aperture.

CLAUDE H. HUNSAKER. JOSEPH B. WHEELER. 

